20th March

A misty drizzly morning led to the first fall of the Spring with the damp grounding Chiffchaffs across the island. 200 Chiffchaffs were recorded throughout the Obs area including 56 ringed in the garden. The garden also produced a Brambling whilst a RingOuzel was on the Slopes. Other migrants were on the wing in small numbers for the first time this spring including the first migratory Goldcrests with four in the garden and hut fields, ten SandMartins and six Swallows were along the West Cliffs, MeadowPipit numbers were relatively low at 67 but probably due to their flight paths being above the low level cloud, albaWagtails were up to 24 and Wheatears up to 18. The real highlight of the day came from the Sea in the form of a fly-by winter plumage Black Guillemot (Tystie), the sea also produced 25 CommonScoter and 12 Red-throatedDivers.

Elsewhere on the island, Reap Lane saw 12 Chiffchaffs and 52 Meadow Pipits, Ferrybridge saw a pair of Wheatears and the Harbour was harbouring a pair of summer plumage Black-neckedGrebes.